So out came the left over sun dried tomatoes that I had used for making this pesto, a few sprigs of rosemary that I had used to make grilled lamb and some left over cottage cheese that I had used for making an Indian dessert. Perfect! I thought. I could use all three to good use…together. The cheese biscotti emerged from the memory and the idea of savory biscotti began to take shape. I love my desserts and other sweet things but I am more of a savory loving person.
They are great accompaniments for tea, coffee, soups and even wine! Dunk them in if you wish to. Biscotti will remind you of the rusk that is quite similar and very popular in India. Those ones have fennel and cardamom seeds. I remember dunking them in the milk and enjoying them as a kid; I still love doing that actually.
1 tsp cracked pink pepper (feel free to use black pepper instead)
Preheat the oven at 180 degrees C.
Whisk together the APF, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pink pepper, garlic powder. Add in the crumbled paneer and butter (i used refrigerated butter and shredded it).
Mix everything together very lightly with hands. Mix in the nuts, tomatoes and rosemary.
Divide the dough in two halves and shape it into a log sized approx 11 X 3.5 inches and a little over half an inch thick. (the size totally depends on how much wide and thick you want the biscottis)
Arrange the logs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let the logs rest for 15-20 minutes. Transfer the log on a cutting board.
Using a serrated knife, slice diagonally the logs in 1 cm thickness. Arrange all the pieces back on the baking sheet and bake for 10-20 minutes. (It is usually adviced to reduce the oven temperature for baking the biscottis but mine were not getting crisp so I kept the temp at 180)
Ensure that half way through you check the biscottis for done-ness and turn them over so both sides are golden and crisp. Cool and store in an air tight container.
Chuck those bread sticks for a while and enjoy your favorite soup with this biscotti or enjoy it with your cuppa tea/coffee!
Makes 2 dozen
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